Tag: iPhone 5

2012 has been a crazy year in the mobile industry. The industry was mainly dominated by Samsung and Apple this year, with the likes of HTC and Sony struggling to stay afloat. Earlier this year, Google shocked everyone buy buying Motorola for 12.5$ billion. Later on, Apple shocked everyone and caused a lot of trouble to its iDevices owners by ditching Google Maps for its own in-house mapping system, Apple Maps. This eventually led to Tim Cook firing Scott Forstall, who was the senior vice-president of iOS software.

In 2012, smartphones were all about big screens with 720p resolution, oodles of RAM, quad-core processors and, thankfully, nearly all day battery life. Like in 2011, Android phones absolutely dominated the sales chart, especially Samsung’s Galaxy S3.

Now, that the year is going to end and the holiday season is fast approaching, we list down our top 10 phones of 2012.

10) Motorola RAZR i – Motorola promotes the RAZR i with an edge-to-edge display, and rightly so. The RAZR i packs in a 4.3-inch Super-AMOLED qHD display with dimensions that are the same as the iPhone.

The RAZR i is also the first handset from a major OEM to pack in an Intel Atom processor clocked at a whopping 2GHz, along with an outdated PowerVR SGX 540 GPU and 1GB of RAM. If you don’t want a phone that does not have a massive 4.7-inch+ display, the RAZR i will be your best option.

Under Google’s keen eye, expect Motorola to come up with a stellar handset in 2013 that will shock and surprise every tech enthusiast out there.

9) HTC One S – The HTC One S is the perfect upper mid-range Android handset out there. It has a 4.3-inch Super-AMOLED screen with qHD (960*640) resolution, 16GB of internal storage, absolutely stellar build quality and a decent 8MP camera.

If the One S failed to set the sales on fire, it was because of the lack of its microSD card slot, and HTC swapping the dual-core Snapdragon S4 Krait processor with the older-generation S3 processor in some markets.

8) LG Optimus G – Google’s Nexus 4 is based on the LG Optimus G. Both the devices share the same internal specifications – a 1.5GHz Quad-core Krait processor, 2GB RAM, a 4.7-inch IPS HD 768p display, and an 8MP camera (13MP in some variants). It even has a back that has the same disco-ball effect as on the Nexus 4.

The Optimus G was the first Android smartphone to make use of Qualcomm’s quad-core Krait processor. While the handset is not bad by any means, it is not going to be as successful as LG might have hoped for, all thanks to the Nexus 4, that packs in similar specs for half the price.

7) Nokia Lumia 920 – While the verdict is not yet out if the Lumia 920 is as successful as Nokia might have hoped for, the handset definitely has all the ingredients needed to make it a hit. The 4.5-inch ClearBlackDisplay comes with PureMotion HD+ technology that gives the screen on the Lumia 920 a higher refresh rate than other competing screen technologies out there.

However, the selling point of the Lumia 920, and the reason why it has made it to this list, is because of its 8.7MP PureView camera, which has OIS (Optical Image Stabilization).

With Windows Phone 8 adding some much needed features to the mobile OS from the Redmond based company, the Lumia 920 might just be enough to pull back Nokia into profitability.

6) HTC One X – The One X is nearly 10 months old, but is still one of the most stunning phones available in the market. The handset sports a stunning 4.7-inch 720p S-LCD2 display, 1GB of RAM, Nvidia’s Tegra 3 processor clocked at 1.5GHz, 32GB of storage space, and an 8MP F/2.0 camera with ImageSense. The AT&T version of the One X swapped the Tegra 3 quad-core processor with a dual-core Krait processor from Qualcomm, which is no slow-couch either.

While the One X might not have sold in large numbers as HTC might have hoped for, the handset did prove that HTC is going on the right way. If the DNA is any indication, the HTC One X2 might just bring back HTC in the game.

5) Google Nexus 4 – When rumors started leaking on the Internet that LG is going to make the next Nexus handset, everyone was doubtful about the handset’s quality and its reliability. Ironically, after the Nexus One, the Nexus 4 is the only Nexus branded device from Google to pack in bleeding-edge specifications. Right from the 768p IPS HD display to the quad-core Krait processor to the 2GB of RAM or the build quality of the handset, the Nexus 4 screams of premium/quality. The disco-ball effect at the back of the phone is a nice addition as well, and makes the phone stand out from the crowd.

What, however, is not premium is its pricing. For only $299 for the 8GB version and $349 for the 16GB version, the Nexus 4 is well worth it just because of its stellar price tag. The Nexus branding means that owners will be the first in line to get future Android updates. With Android 4.2 already on-board, the Nexus 4 is already running the latest version of Android, which includes Photosphere, an enhanced keyboard, lock screen widgets, multiple user profiles and more.

4) HTC DROID DNA – The DROID DNA from HTC is only available in the United States under Verizon’s network and as the Butterfly in Japan. The phone was supposed to be launched in Europe but rumors indicate that HTC might have had a change of heart. The DROID DNA/Butterfly is the first Android smartphone to sport a 5-inch screen with a whopping 1080p screen resolution. Apart from the screen, the DNA/Butterfly includes a blazing fast 1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm S4 processor, 2GB of RAM, an 8MP F/2.0 camera and more.

After quite sometime, HTC is struggling to meet the demands of the handset in Japan, which should come as a sigh of relief for the Taiwanese maker. If the DROID DNA is anything to go by, the One X successor from HTC that will be unveiled next year at MWC, is going to set the bar high for the Galaxy S4 and others.

3) Apple iPhone 5 – With even budget oriented phones coming with a 4-inch+ display, Apple had to increase the size of the display on the iPhone, and it did with the iPhone 5. Instead of making the display wider and taller, the Cupertino company only made it taller so as to facilitate one-hand usage.

Apart from the bigger screen, the iPhone 5 also packed in LTE in a much slimmer (7.6mm) body. The usual generational updates were also present including a blazing fast custom-core A6 SoC from Apple, improved GPU performance, 1GB of RAM, and an 8MP camera with improved low-light performance.

However, the iPhone 5 along with iOS 6 lacked any kind of innovation or the ‘new’ factor. The new version of iOS only brought about minor enhancements and nothing else. Even then, the lack of innovation did not stop Apple from selling more than 5 million units of the handset in its first weekend in the United States. The iPhone 5 might have lacked innovation, but it can beat the combined sales figure of the Galaxy S3 and the Note 2 in just a month.

2) Samsung Galaxy Note 2 – Samsung has been on a roll with its Galaxy series. If the Galaxy S series is aimed at smartphones lovers, the Korean company has successfully managed to please people out there who want a ‘phablet’ with its Note series. When Samsung initially unveiled the Galaxy Note, it was ridiculed for releasing a device with such a big screen. The Galaxy Note, then, went on to sell in excess of 10 million units. The Galaxy Note 2 has gone a level further and reached the 5 million sales mark within 2 months of its release.

For a phablet, the Galaxy Note 2 packs in everything that once can imagine including a 1.6GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, a 5.5-inch HD Super-AMOLED screen, an 8MP camera, oodles of storage, a bunch of sensors and a beefy 3100mAh battery for an all-day battery life even with heavy usage.

1) Samsung Galaxy S3 – If the Galaxy S and Galaxy S2 made Samsung popular, the Galaxy S3 confirmed Samsung’s prowess in the mobile industry. Not only is the Galaxy S3 loaded to the brim specs wise with a quad-core Exynos processor clocked at 1.4GHz, 1GB of RAM, a 720p HD Super-AMOLED screen, 16GB of storage and a microSD card slot, it can also last nearly a day of moderate to heavy usage thanks to its beefy 2100mAh battery and 32nm-HKMG fabrication process based SoC.

If the hardware of the phone is impressive, the list of all the features that Samsung has included in this phone is exhaustive. While the nature inspired version of TouchWIZ in Galaxy S3 is still ugly and not to everyone’s liking, Samsung has added so many features to it, that it is tough to not use it. These features include Pop-up play, pop-up browser, multi-view multitasking, Smart stay, Smart rotation and much more.

While the phone does look ugly and is still made of plastic, it has been selling like hot cakes all over the world. No wonder Samsung managed to sell more than 30 million Galaxy S3s within 5 months of its launch.

Don’t agree with our list? Feel free to drop in a comment and let us know which are your top 10 smartphones of 2012.

Today, Apple announced that the company has sold over two million iPhone 5s in China, just three days after its launch. “Customer response to iPhone 5 in China has been incredible, setting a new record with the best first weekend sales ever in China,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “China is a very important market for us and customers there cannot wait to get their hands on Apple products.”

The original iPhone 5 launch weekend occurred in September and saw over 5 million sales to the initial 9 countries including the U.S.

A new survey by research firm Nielsen reveals that U.S. consumers aged 6-12 are very interested in purchasing Apple’s iOS products over the next 6 months. The new Nintendo Wii U claimed the #2 spot, but significantly fell behind the iPad. Apple’s iPod touch, iPad mini, and iPhone are rounded out the rest of the top 5 most wanted products for this age group. 48 percent of children surveyed showed interest in the full-sized iPad (up from 44 percent last year), and 36 percent in the new iPad mini.

Nielsen also surveyed people older than 13+ and discovered that the iPad also topped that list. However, the remainder of the 13+ year old list wasn’t as much in favor of Apple than the 6-12 year old group.

Sony has been struggling with its mobile division for quite sometime now. The company has failed to release remarkable handsets that woo in customers. Sony, however, aims to change all that with its next flagship Android smartphone that will be competing directly with the Galaxy S III and the iPhone 5.

Sony CVP of Sales & marketing, Dennis van Schie said “We will create in the near future a flagship model that can compete with Apple’s iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy S III”.

In all probability, Sony is talking about its already leaked smartphone – the Yuga – which will sport a 5-inch 1080p display, 2GB of RAM, a 1.5GHz quad-core Krait processor, Adreno 320 GPU and more. Sony expects to unveil this handset sometime at CES or MWC early next year.

What Sony fails to realize here is that the Galaxy S III has already been in the market for nearly 6 months, and by the time Sony actually releases its Galaxy S3/iPhone 5 competitor to the general consumer, the iPhone 5 would also be nearly 6 months old.

People would be eagerly waiting for the One X successor from HTC and the Galaxy S IV will just be around the corner. By then, no one would be interestedin this Galaxy S3 competitor from Sony. The company’s phone has been consistently behind HTC and Samsung in terms of both software and hardware, which has what led to its downfall.

Even now, the latest and greatest phone from Sony — the Xperia T — comes with a dual-core Krait processor and 1GB of RAM, while Samsung and HTC phones are coming with quad-core Krait processors and 2GB of RAM. Before you guys jump in and say that hardware is only one part of the story, let me tell you Sony is not really doing well on the software side. The company expects to roll out the Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean update to the majority of its devices only in early-2013. By that time, Samsung and HTC would have already updated their flagship handsets to Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

Redington, one of the official distributors of Apple products in India, has revealed the prices for the next generation iPhones. As always, you will have to pay a premium if you wish to own Apple’s latest and greatest offering. The base model — iPhone 5 with 16 gigs of storage — will retail for Rs. 45500, which is a good ten thousand bucks more than what high end Android devices are selling for. However, Apple stuff in India has never been cheap, and the outrageous pricing has never been a major deterrent for true Apple fans.

Apple is expected to launch both white and black versions in India; however, stock will probably limited considering global demands. Higher end models with more storage will also be available in India, beginning next week. The 32 GB version will cost Rs. 52500, while the 64 GB version will cost Rs. 59500. I have always stayed away from the iPhone, as at these kind of price points I can very well get a high end gaming PC or two high-end Android smartphones. However, if you believe that there is no substitute for Apple’s exquisite sense of design or premium craftmanship, you can pre-order your device at several retailers including Infibeam.

Like the iPhone 4S, the iPhone 5 was criticized heavily by critics, Android lovers and others for the lack of innovation. The Internet was and is flooded with comments from ‘experts’ that Steve Jobs would not have let Apple ship such a useless Maps app in iOS6 and more.

Nevertheless, even then the iPhone 4S became the fastest selling iPhone ever for Apple, and the iPhone 5 is no different. The handset hit the retail stores last week on September 21st, and has already managed to sell more than 5 million units inside 3 days.

“Demand for iPhone 5 has been incredible and we are working hard to get an iPhone 5 into the hands of every customer who wants one as quickly as possible,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “While we have sold out of our initial supply, stores continue to receive iPhone 5 shipments regularly and customers can continue to order online and receive an estimated delivery date. We appreciate everyone’s patience and are working hard to build enough iPhone 5s for everyone.”

Considering that the iPhone 5 is only available in the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the UK, this is no small feat. The demand for the handset will only soar more once it will be available in 22 additional countries on September 28th, and in 100 more countries by the end of this year.

The Galaxy S III, which is considered one of the best handsets in the Android ecosystem, if not the best, has sold more than 10 million units in 100 days, since it was launched. The iPhone 5 will easily surpass the sales figure of the Galaxy S III within the first week of it being available.

The press release from Apple also states that more than 100 million devices have already updated to iOS6, all within a week of the OS update going live.

Earlier this week, we reported that the iPhone 5’s A6 processor is blazing fast. Now a test of the iPhone 5’s A6 processor reported a super quick score on SunSpider’s JavaScript benchmarking tool. Apple’s A6 processor even outperforms Intel’s Atom Z2460 processor. AnandTech was able to run SunSpider v 0.9.1 on an iPhone 5 review unit, and reported that the A6 chip came up with a result of a whopping 914.7 milliseconds, outspacing the second place Lava XOLO X900’s time of 1279.4. The Lava XOLO runs a single-core Intel Atom Z2460 Penwell SoC built on the chip maker’s Medfield platform.

In this test, smaller numbers are better. The final score of 914.7ms beats all of the other devices on the chart and is the fastest SunSpider test AnandTech has recorded for a smartphone. The iPhone 5 is two and a half times as fast as the iPhone 4S (2250ms) and much faster than the Samsung Galaxy S III (1442.9-1824.9ms).

Today morning, Apple announced that pre-orders of the iPhone 5 had exceeded over 2 million in the first 24 hours alone. To put this in perspective, this is more than double that of the iPhone 4S. Last year, the iPhone 4S was the largest product debut ever for Apple, selling a whopping 4 million in the first three days of availability. I would predict that the iPhone 5’s launch will easily surpass this number.

“iPhone 5 pre-orders have shattered the previous record held by iPhone 4S and the customer response to iPhone 5 has been phenomenal,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “iPhone 5 is the best iPhone yet, the most beautiful product we’ve ever made, and we hope customers love it as much as we do.”

Apple was “blown away” by the response to the iPhone 5 and the “Available to ship” time on the company’s US store website continues to show a window of 2-3 weeks. The iPhone 5 will be available beginning this Friday, September 21st. Last night, we reported that the first iPhone 5 pre-orders have begun shipping. So much for a “disappointing” iPhone.

AppleInsider reports that the customers were the first among to pre-order the iPhone 5 from Apple have started to see updates that their orders are shipping from China.

Even though iPhone 5 orders are now shipping, the packages are still scheduled to be delivered on Friday, September 21, which is the product’s launch date. The screenshot below shows that the shipment started to show “in transit” on Sunday, Sept. 16. The delivery is now on its way from ZhengZhou, China.

However, on Apple’s website, orders are still being shown as “preparing for shipment,” but some people have been able to track their iPhone 5 order via a reference number. In the past, some iPhone preorders have arrived than product launch date. Usually most orders arrive on launch date though.

Apple was “blown away” by the response to the iPhone 5 and the “Available to ship” time on the company’s US store website continues to show a window of 2-3 weeks. So much for a “disappointing” iPhone.